Cerebral palsy is more than a medical condition; it’s a life-changing reality for many families. If your child was diagnosed with a birth injury, you likely have many questions and are in need of some answers.
Experienced cerebral palsy lawyers in Philadelphia can tell you everything you need to know to make informed decisions about your child’s future.
Birth Injury Lawyers Group is dedicated to assisting families like yours, ensuring you receive the compensation you rightfully deserve. Over the years, we have recovered over $750 million for families. Our Philadelphia birth injury lawyer will help you build a safer future for your child. Call today to schedule a free consultation.
Philadelphia Cerebral Palsy Attorneys Who Deliver Results
Dealing with cerebral palsy can involve legal challenges, especially if medical negligence is a factor. When so much is at stake, don’t leave things up to chance; take control of your case by hiring a cerebral palsy lawyer from our team.
We understand the challenges you face and the financial burden that comes with managing this condition. If medical negligence contributed to your child’s cerebral palsy, we will work tirelessly to hold the responsible parties accountable. Over the years, we have built a track record of successful case results.
Our Philadelphia cerebral palsy lawyers will identify if and when medical oversights occurred and can guide families in seeking rightful compensation. From handling paperwork to representing families in court, our attorneys shoulder the legal burdens, letting families focus on care and healing.
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
Does Your Child Have Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy encompasses a range of disorders that primarily affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance. It’s not just about motor functions; CP often impacts the very fabric of a child’s life, coloring their early years and shaping their future. To understand and identify cerebral palsy in its early stages, it’s vital to be aware of its warning signs.
These cerebral palsy symptoms serve as indicators that a child might have the condition:
- A noticeable ‘floppiness’ when lifting the child
- Manifestation of muscle spasms or unusual stiffness
- Apparent lack of muscle control, slow reflexes, or an inability to maintain regular posture
- Difficulty in holding up their head, especially when lying on their stomach or seated
- Missing developmental milestones, for instance, not walking by 18 months or not forming sentences by 24 months
- Challenges in feeding, characterized by a lack of swallowing efficiency
- A pronounced tendency to favor one side of their body over the other
- Delays in achieving fine motor skills, evident in tasks such as self-feeding or picking up objects
- Trouble in vision, hearing, or speech, which can sometimes be mistaken for other developmental delays
- Experiencing seizures, which need immediate medical attention
While the presence of one or a few of these signs doesn’t conclusively point to cerebral palsy, they should not be ignored. Early detection and intervention can significantly impact the quality of life and available treatment options.
Philadelphia Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Near Me 1-800-222-9529
Common Causes of Cerebral Palsy
CP doesn’t arise without a cause. Certain events can lead to this condition. Particularly, complications during the birthing process are a major contributor to the development of cerebral palsy.
Some of the most common causes of cerebral palsy include:
- Lack of oxygen during birth
- Severe jaundice
- Infections during pregnancy
- Traumatic brain injuries during birth or in the first few years of life
While some of these causes are natural, others might result from medical oversights or negligence. This distinction is essential, especially when considering legal action. Birth Injury Lawyers Group will investigate the true cause of your child’s CP.
When preventable medical mistakes cause cerebral palsy, it may constitute medical malpractice. Families affected by cerebral palsy due to negligence have grounds to pursue legal action to get compensation for the lifelong care their child will require.
"We know first-hand what you are going through."
Medical Negligence Can Cause Cerebral Palsy
While several factors can contribute to its development, medical negligence plays a significant role in some instances. Proper medical care during pregnancy and childbirth is crucial, and mistakes can lead to a child being diagnosed with CP.
Factors related to medical negligence include:
- Delayed or improper response to fetal distress
- Failure to order a timely cesarean section when necessary
- Mistakes during the use of delivery instruments, such as forceps or vacuum extractors
- Lack of proper care in handling newborns with jaundice or infections
In many cases, the actions or attentiveness of a medical professional could have prevented the development of CP. Our team will investigate what caused the condition and build an evidence-based case against the negligent party.
"Our Birth Injury Lawyers have recovered over $750+ Million on behalf of our clients."
How to Prove Negligence
Demonstrating negligence is essential to hold medical professionals or institutions accountable for their actions. It establishes that the standard of care was not met, leading to the child’s condition.
To prove negligence, your cerebral palsy attorney in Philadelphia will focus on the following key aspects:
- Duty of care: The healthcare provider owed a duty of care to the patient (mother and child). This means that the provider was responsible for delivering care that meets the accepted medical standards during pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
- Breach of duty of care: The healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care. This could involve errors such as misdiagnosis or failure to respond to complications during delivery.
- Causation: The breach of duty directly caused the child’s cerebral palsy. This involves linking the medical provider’s actions (or lack thereof) to the injury. Medical expert testimony is often required to establish this connection.
- Damages: Quantify the harm or losses suffered as a result of the negligence. This includes current and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and the cost of ongoing care.
Recognizing the harm caused by a healthcare provider’s failure to meet the expected standards of care is an important step toward achieving justice for your family. It not only validates the pain and challenges you have endured but also holds the responsible party accountable for their actions.
Available Compensation for Affected Families
With a cerebral palsy diagnosis comes many long-term challenges and expenses. Legal compensation can provide families with the resources they need. Your attorney will calculate all your past expenses and estimate future losses.
Available damages in a cerebral palsy case:
- Past and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Equipment necessary for mobility or communication
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
We can prove damages by gathering evidence that shows how the CP impacts the child’s life. This includes reviewing medical records to identify errors or negligence during delivery, consulting medical experts to confirm the connection between the injury and cerebral palsy, and calculating the long-term costs of care.
This is not about putting a price tag on the hardship your family has endured. It’s about securing the financial resources necessary to tackle the challenges ahead and provide the care your child needs to thrive.
Who is at Fault for Causing Cerebral Palsy in a Newborn?
Determining who is legally responsible for the child’s condition ensures that the right individuals or institutions are held accountable for their actions or inactions. However, this can be a difficult task without the help of an experienced Philadelphia cerebral palsy lawyer.
Any of the following parties could be at fault in a cerebral palsy case:
- Obstetricians
- Nurses
- Midwives
- Anesthesiologists
- Pediatricians
- Hospital staff
- Hospital administrators
- Medical institutions
- Prenatal care providers
- Neonatologists
As your cerebral palsy lawyers, we will investigate the details of your case and identify all liable parties. Using the available evidence, we will show who committed negligence to help your family get the financial compensation needed for a better life.
Pennsylvania’s Statute of Limitations for Birth Injuries
Legal processes have designated timeframes, especially when it comes to initiating action. In Pennsylvania, for cerebral palsy and other related birth injuries, the statute of limitations extends to two years after the child’s 18th birthday.
This means that families have until the child turns 20 to initiate legal proceedings. While this may seem like a long time, the complexities of life and the challenges of managing care can make these years pass quickly.
Contact a Philadelphia Cerebral Palsy Attorney Today
Cerebral palsy is a lifelong journey. Along this journey, families often encounter crossroads where decisions need to be made, not only medically but legally. As challenges mount, the need for informed and timely action becomes more pressing.
Birth Injury Lawyers Group stands ready to support, guide, and represent. With dedication, compassion, and legal insight, we’re here to help families seek compensation. If cerebral palsy has touched your life, don’t face the legal maze alone. Contact us today for a free consultation.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."